The art curriculum at Saint Kilian aims to to provide a rich, comprehensive art program and adheres to national standards and diocesan benchmarks. The program involves a multi-faceted diocesan practice that consists of art media and processes, design and function, content and creative expression, art heritage, inquiry in the arts and inter-disciplinary study.

The art program at our school focuses on the elements of art: line, shape, color, value, texture, form and space. We experience these elements through drawing, painting, printmaking, collage and sculpture. Students. when working on their projects, are encouraged to make creative choices in their artistic expression. 

Lower elementary students work on the development of fine motor skills, focusing on process based learning/creating, rather than product.

Every six weeks, students engage in Art Appreciation which includes learning about famous artists, comparing and contrasting various artworks, using similar techniques and writing comprehensive critiques in the upper grades.

Our art program incorporates art from other cultures and inter-disciplinary studies such as science, science experiments with light and color, vocabulary and writing.

Language Arts 

Saint Kilian Catholic School includes the subjects reading, English, spelling, and handwriting to comprise our Language Arts (ELA) curriculum. Students receive no less than 80 minutes of instruction a day in these subjects from Kindergarten to 8th grade. 

Reading/Spelling

Kindergarten through Grade 5 are guided by the Houghton Mifflin-Harcourt Into Reading curriculum. This series has adventure units that motivate while reinforcing key grade level skills. It focuses on vocabulary instruction to build better readers and writers, utilizes leveled readers to supplement the weekly anthology story, incorporates supplemental curriculum resources to enrich learners, and has a practice book which includes reading, writing, grammar, and spelling. Grade 5 also reads a variety of novels throughout the year to extend their grade level skills to various texts and genres. 

Kindergarten through Grade 2 uses the Fundations phonics program to support foundational skills critical for reading and writing success. This program focuses on print concepts, letter formation, phonological awareness, word study, fluency, handwriting, and spelling. 

Middle school students learn to search for meaning and make connections while reading a variety of complex texts. Novels, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Short Stories are used for reading instruciton to introduce and reinforce key reading skills and competencies. The middle school reading curriculum allows for purposeful and meaningful exploration of big ideas and key grade level skills. 

English

In Grades 1-8, our English courses are guided by Loyola's Voyages in English, which is designed to include the major areas of the language arts curriuclum: grammar and correct usage; sentece structure; library and research skills; writing skills; and speaking and listening skills. Grammar and applied usage are developed through exercises and writing assignments. Writing skills emphasize creative writing and progress from sentences to paragraphs, essays, and reports. The continued development of the writing process through the thoughtful use of prewriting, drafting, revising, proofreading, and publishing are emphasized. 

Middle school writing skills are integrated into all aspects of the language arts curriculum. Narrative, Descriptive, Argumentative, and Expository writing formats are focused and expanded on each year. ELA teachers work with all core subject teachers to ensure that writing implementation is happening on a cross-curricular level. 

Handwriting

As research has shown that improved handwriting skills has benefits for cognitive development and motor skills and can lead to improved writing skills and reading comprehension, our Kindergarten through Grade 5 students use grade-level specific materials for handwriting. Students in Kindergarten through the first half of their Grade 2 year focus on a manuscript and the writing skills of the alphabet letters. In the second half of the Grade 2 year, students are introduced to cursive where they develop and practice correct positioning during the writing process and reinforce their writing skills through writing sentences, phrases, and words. Grades 3-5 work to improve the overall appearance of their cursive writing by practicing spacing, neatness, slant, smooth and rhythmic letter formation and letter connections. 
 

Kindergarten and Grade 1

Students in Kindergarten and Grade 1 use Sadlier’s Progress in Mathematics to guide instruction. This curriculum is well-paced, sequenced, and integrates problem solving and conceptual understanding. Teachers utilize numerous supplemental resources in the learning process and routinely engage in multiple forms of both instruction and assessment.

Mathematics in Kindergarten focus on number names and the count sequence. They also focus on the ability to count to tell the number of objects and the ability to compare numbers. They are introduced to the concepts of addition and subtraction and begin foundation skills for place value. Kindergarten students classify and describe shapes and compare objects based on measurement.

In Grade 1 students represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction within 20. They focus on understanding place value and understanding the relationship between addition and subtraction. Students measure lengths, tell and write time, and begin to interpret data.

Students and parents are encouraged to visit the Sadlier website to reinforce math concepts (i.e.: practice activities including skills reinforcement, math vocabulary, flash cards, tutorials, problem of the day and more). 

Our K-8 media classes meet once week and provide a comprehensive curriculum designed to develop students' media literacy, digital citizneship, and technology skills. Our curriculum aligns with both the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) and the Pennsylvania state standards. Using our 1:1 student iPads and engaging and age-appropriate lessons, students will learn to critically analyze media messages, use digital tools responsibly, and become effective communciators in a digital world. 

The key curriculum objectives include: 

• Students will be able to utilize technology-based skills and software applications.
• Students will be able to utilize technology to gather, analyze, synthesize, and manipulate information to integrate the various content areas and facilitate critical thinking and problem solving.
• Students will be able to utilize technology to communicate in a variety of ways for a variety of purposes.

Our music program is developed around music history, reading and performing music. Music is based on the Nine National Standards: 

• Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. 
• Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. 
• Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments. 
• Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines. 
• Reading and notating music. 
• Listening to, analyzing, and describing music. 
• Evaluating music and music performances. 
• Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts. 
• Understanding music in relation to history and culture. 

• Kindergarten Christmas Pageant
• Grades 1-3 Christmas Concert

School Band, Spring Musical, School Mass Choir and Cantor are also opportunities for students in Grades 4 - 8 to perform and are offered extra-curricularly.

Lower Grades Curriculum
Beginning in Kindergarten, students are introduced to music through call and response and movement to music in establishing a beat. As students mature musically, they learn to read notes on the staff and are able to sing songs using notes on the lines and sol fege syllables. Sight reading is used to enhance their note reading and their inner hearing. 
Music classes also include the creation of music beginning with quarter and eighth notes, then adding rests and additional notes. Students begin by counting using the Gordon method, then counting using numbers. Students create their own music which is played either with body percussion or instruments. 

Upper Grades Curriculum
Students learn about the early creation of music, and the progression of music throughout different eras. Students explore music through improvisation and composition. Projects are completed through the year to encourage the use of music through motions.

Saint Kilian Catholic School follows the state of Pennsylvania and the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh standards for Physical Education and Health.

The components of Physical Education are as follows: presence of God, respect/tolerance, teamwork/sportsmanship, skill building, balance, coordination/agility, endurance/fitness, flexibility, and strength to name a few.

The general objectives meet the overall criteria for Physical Education. Some components are, that physical activity helps to develop an awareness of the presence of God, foster the growth of self-discipline, and create a sequential order of developmentally appropriate activities and skills that will enhance the student’s overall well-being. Students will begin the year with a unit on strength and conditioning, we will continue with sports such as basketball, volleyball, pickleball, street hockey, soccer, and softball. Each class will focus on warm-ups, skill building, and conditioning along with various aspects of the sport including the history of, facts and figures.
    
Health classes will focus on Concepts of Health and Healthful living. Units will include stages of growth and development, nutrition, body systems, substance abuse, poisoning, toxicology, and environmental issues along with mental health and wellness.

Our Catholic identity is the foundation of everything we do; it frames how we communicate with one another and our entire curriculum. It is the most important aspect of our school community. 

The K-8 religion classes area designed to provide students with a comprehensive educaiton in the Cathollic faith, focusing on the teachings, traditions and values of the Church. The curriuclum utilizes the Christ our Life textbook series published by Loyala Press, which offers engaging and age-appropriate content for students. Through a combination of classroom instruction, group discussions, acitivites, and prayer, students will deepen their understanding of Catholicism and develop personal realtionships with God. The curriuclum addresses key ares of Catholic teachings, scripture, prayer and morality through the following components: 

• Scripture and Traditions: Students will explore the Bible and learn about the life of Jesus, the saints, and the history of the Church. 
• Sacraments and Liturgical Seasons: Students will delve into the sacaraments of the Catholic Church, exploring their significance and role in the life of a Catholic. 
• Morality and Social Justice: Students will learn about Catholic moral principles and ethical values, reflecting on issues of social justice, human dignity and the common good. 
• Prayer and Devotion: Students will be introduced to various forms of prayer to help them develop a deeper spiritual life. 
• Community and Service: Students will be encouraged to engage in acts of service, participate in community outreach programs, and practice Christian virtues in their daily lives. 

In addition to scheduled class time for religious education, our students participate in daily prayer at the start and conclusion of the school day and lunch, weekly Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Stations of the Cross, and service opportunities throughout the school year.

Kindergarten through Grade 2

Students in Kindergarten through 2nd Grade receive dedicated science instruction once or twice week depending on the grade level. Lessons align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and utilize a variety of resources to engage students in science learning through exploration, collaboration, and critical thinking. Our goal is to guide students toward mastery while fostering a love of science learning and discovery.

Grades 3 through 8

• Exploring Space
• Water and Climate
• Impact on the Environment
• The Changing Earth

• Interactions Within Ecosystems
• Life: Structure and Function
• Reproduction of Organisms
• Change Over Time

• Energy and Motion
• Understanding Waves
• Understanding Matter
• Interactions of Matter

Kindergarten and Grade 1

Kindergarten and 1st grade receives social studies instruction once a week. Resources include rich content that captures students’ imaginations and built-in reading and vocabulary instruction. The curriculum supports activating prior knowledge, engaging students in discussion, and thinking critically about key concepts. Students experience the curriculum through reading, hands-on activities, and technology. Social Emotional Learning exercises are integrated throughout.

Grades 2 and 3

Students in 2nd and 3rd grade receive social studies instruction three times a week. Students use the McGraw Hill Networks: Impact series to support our primary level social studies curriculum. Through this series students will develop critical thinking skills, reading and writing foundations, and learn what it means to be active citizens.

2nd grade's focus is “Exploring Who We Are.” Students investigate where they live, including its history, geography, and government. Students also learn how people can make a difference in our world. Students make connections between their community’s past and present and prepare for their role in their community’s future.

The program for 3rd grade focuses on communities near and far. More specifically, how our environment impacts the way a community functions, what makes communities unique, how they change over time/how the past impacts the present, the relationship between citizens and the government (why they need each other), and economics (wants and needs). They also are exposed to relevant historical events, short biographies, and primary sources.

Grades 4 and 5 

In 4th and 5th grade, social studies because a core class that is attended five class periods a week. Students continue to support our curriculum using the McGraw Hill Networks: Impact series.

The 4th grade focus is on Regions of the United States. Students learn about the history, geography, and settlement, economy of each region and then look to how it will impact the future. As future leaders, the students are being prepared to be active citizens. Students interact with maps, charts, timelines, and other primary sources to make connections between each region.

5th grade students learn about North American prior to the founding of the United States through the early years of the republic. Students engage with primary sources and texts from various perspectives to understand the conflicts that defined the early nation. Students will work to make connections from the past to their lives today.

Grades 6 through 8

Middle school students receive direct social studies instruction five class periods a week as one of their core classes. Students use the McGraw Hill Networks: Discovering Our Past series which aligns with our curriculum to create a student-centered course that prepares students to be successful in high school, college, careers, and civic life. The series includes rigorous, age-appropriate content, integrates primary sources, and makes relevant connections to bring the subject area to life. Discovering Our Past focuses on the big ideas built around essential questions, enduring ideas, and NCSS Standards.  Our middle school social studies and ELA departments work together to make connections across research, writing, and literature.

6th Grade Discovering Our Past: A History of the World

• In 6th grade students uncover and explore Ancient Civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greek, China, Rome and more. Students also learn about Medieval Europe, the Renaissance, and the Age of Exploration.

• 7th Grade focuses on the early years of United States History beginning with colonial times and ending with the Civil War.

8th Grade Discovering Our Past: A History of the United States

• In 8th grade, students continue their study of United States history beginning with post-Civil War reconstruction. Students explore westward expansion, industrialization, and imperialism leading up to World War I. Students finish the year with modern America history, including the Gulf War, September 11th, and recent presidencies.

The Spanish curriculum at Saint Kilian aims to engage each and every student.  Spanish will be introduced to our students beginning in kindergarten by introducing common vocabulary, phrases, and concepts necessary for daily interpersonal interaction.  Emphasis is placed on basic communication and comprehension in everyday situations.  At the elementary school level, Spanish will be taught through thematic vocabulary-based units.  Students in grades K-4 will have Spanish class one class period per week.  Spanish class in 5^th grade will increase to 2 class periods per week.  

In middle school, students will begin to gain a working knowledge of the basic structure of the Spanish language. This Level 1 curriculum includes reading, writing, listening, and speaking Spanish.  Culture is used as a foundation for each lesson.  Students are encouraged to engage in a variety of functional and practical activities to help practice speaking and to reinforce grammatical concepts.  Middle school students will meet for Spanish class 3 class periods per week.  When transitioning to high school upon the completion of 8^th grade, Saint Kilian students have the opportunity  and are prepared to begin Spanish Level 2 in their freshman year. 

Throughout their years of learning Spanish at Saint Kilian, students begin to experience the benefits of learning a new language.